Study links inflammation and changes in the gut microbiome to Type I diabetes

There has been a significant increase in the incidence of autoimmune disorders over the past several decades. For every 1,000 Americans, approximately one and five people have Type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes typically develops when the body’s own immune system attacks the pancreas and prevents the production of insulin.

There has been increasing evidence of the correlation between the gut and Type I diabetes. Alessio Fasano, MD brought this to everyone’s attention in “Surprises from Celiac Disease” published in Scientific American August 2009. In this article he discusses the role of zonulin and intestinal permeability and its role in many autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease, type I diabetes, MS, and rheumatoid arthritis.

According to a new study published last week in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, researchers demonstrated that patients with Type 1 diabetes exhibit a specific inflammatory profile and microbiome composition that is different from healthy individuals as well as other autoimmune conditions suggesting the gut’s potential role in the development of Type I diabetes.
This is the first study to analyze the inflammatory profile, gut microbiome and their association on duodenal mucosa of patients with Type I diabetes in comparison with patients with celiac disease and healthy individuals.

In the study, researchers examined the microbiome of 54 individuals who underwent endoscopies and biopsies of the small intestine. The participants with Type 1 diabetes showed significantly more inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa associated to 10 specific genes which was different then the participants with celiac disease and healthy individuals. This may result in an increased antigenic load causing altered immune activation and intestinal inflammation that may contribute to the destruction of pancreatic β cells. In addition, those with Type 1 diabetes also had a distinct microbiome composition from the other two groups. Patients with Type I diabetes had a decrease in Proteobacteria and an increase in Firmicutes bacteria.

Autoimmunity can occur a few different ways. First, there can be a mistaken identity and the body attacks itself. This can occur with a virus where there is tissue destruction and it appears to be foreign to the body. Second, is called molecular mimicry. This occurs when the body makes an antibody (a protein in the body that attacks objects in the body that appear to be foreign) to a specific antigen. These antigens can resemble certain proteins in the body and the antibodies attack our body’s own tissues. Third, is the development of the T cells (the immune system). This can be affected by genetics, stress, and environmental triggers.

Environmental triggers are what integrative doctors mainly work with in functional medicine. These can be food triggers such as gluten or food sensitivities that can trigger inflammation as well as anything coming in with the food such as toxins or molds. In addition, the nutrient status of the person. This can be antioxidant status, vitamins, essential fatty acids, vitamin D, etc. Also, gut health. This includes “leaky gut” and dysbiosis. Finally, there are toxins that can be affect the status of the immune system. These are heavy metals, xenobiotics, as well as the total toxic burden in the body.

It has not been determined if Type 1 diabetes’ signature effect on the gut is caused by or the result of the body’s own attacks on the pancreas but It is essential to investigate into these factors for all patients with autoimmunity.